SIMPLE TRUSSES, THE METHOD OF JOINTS, & ZERO-FORCE MEMBERS

In-Class Activities:

• Check Homework, if any

• Reading Quiz

• Applications

• Simple Trusses

• Method of Joints

• Zero-Force Members

• Concept Quiz

• Group Problem Solving

• Attention Quiz

Today’s Objectives:

Students will be able to:

a) Define a simple truss.

b) Determine the forces in members of a simple truss.

c) Identify zero-force members.

READING QUIZ

1. One of the assumptions used when analyzing a simple truss is that the members are joined together by __________.

A) Welding B) Bolting C) Riveting

D) Smooth pins E) Super glue

2. When using the method of joints, typically _________ equations of equilibrium are applied at every joint.

A) Two B) Three

C) Four D) Six

APPLICATIONS

For a given truss geometry and load, how can you determine the forces in the truss members and thus be able to select their sizes?

Trusses are commonly used to support roofs.

A more challenging question is that for a given load, how can we design the trusses’ geometry to minimize cost?

APPLICATIONS (continued)

Trusses are also used in a variety of structures like cranes and the frames of aircraft or space stations.

How can you design a light weight structure that will meet load, safety, cost specifications, be easy to manufacture, and allow easy inspectioin over its lifetime?

SIMPLE TRUSSES (Section 6.1)

If a truss, along with the imposed load, lies in a single plane (as shown at the top right), then it is called a planar truss.

A truss is a structure composed of slender members joined together at their end points.

A simple truss is a planar truss which begins with a a triangular element and can be expanded by adding two members and a joint. For these trusses, the number of members (M) and the number of joints (J) are related by the equation M = 2 J – 3.

ANALYSIS & DESIGN ASSUMPTIONS

When designing both the member and the joints of a truss, first it is necessary to determine the forces in each truss member. This is called the force analysis of a truss. When doing this, two assumptions are made: 1. All loads are applied at the joints. The weight of the truss

members is often neglected as the weight is usually small as compared to the forces supported by the members.

2. The members are joined together by smooth pins. This assumption is satisfied in most practical cases where the joints are formed by bolting the ends together.

With these two assumptions, the members act as two-force members. They are loaded in either tension or compression. Often compressive members are made thicker to prevent buckling.

THE METHOD OF JOINTS (Section 6.2)

When using the method of joints to solve for the forces in truss members, the equilibrium of a joint (pin) is considered. All forces acting at the joint are shown in a FBD. This includes all external forces (including support reactions) as well as the forces acting in the members. Equations of equilibrium (∑ FX= 0 and ∑ FY = 0) are used to solve for the unknown forces acting at the joints.

A free body diagram of Joint B

STEPS FOR ANALYSIS

1. If the truss’s support reactions are not given, draw a FBD of the entire truss and determine the support reactions (typically using scalar equations of equilibrium).

2. Draw the free-body diagram of a joint with one or two unknowns. Assume that all unknown member forces act in tension (pulling the pin) unless you can determine by inspection that the forces are compression loads.

3. Apply the scalar equations of equilibrium, ∑ FX = 0 and ∑ FY = 0, to determine the unknown(s). If the answer is positive, then the assumed direction (tension) is correct, otherwise it is in the opposite direction (compression).

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at each joint in succession until all the required forces are determined.

ZERO-FORCE MEMBERS (Section 6.3)

You can easily prove these results by applying the equations of equilibrium to joints D and A.

If a joint has only two non-collinear members and there is no external load or support reaction at that joint, then those two members are zero-force members. In this example members DE, DC, AF, and AB are zero force members.

Zero-force members can be removed (as shown in the figure) when analyzing the truss.

ZERO – FORCE MEMBERS (continued)

If three members form a truss joint for which two of the members are collinear and there is no external load or reaction at that joint, then the third non-collinear member is a zero force member.

Again, this can easily be proven. One can also remove the zero-force member, as shown, on the left, for analyzing the truss further.

Please note that zero-force members are used to increase stability and rigidity of the truss, and to provide support for various different loading conditions.

EXAMPLE

1. Check if there are any zero-force members. 2. First analyze pin D and then pin A 3. Note that member BD is zero-force member. FBD = 0 4. Why, for this problem, do you not have to find the external

reactions before solving the problem?

Given: Loads as shown on the truss

Find: The forces in each member of the truss.

Plan:

EXAMPLE (continued)

+ → ∑ FX = – 450 + FCD cos 45° – FAD cos 45° = 0

+ ↑ ∑ FY = – FCD sin 45° – FAD sin 45° = 0

FCD = 318 lb (Tension) or (T)

and FAD = – 318 lb (Compression) or (C)

45 º FCD

D 450 lb

FAD

FBD of pin D

45 º

EXAMPLE (continued)

+ → ∑ FX = FAB + (– 318) cos 45° = 0; FAB = 225 lb (T)

Could you have analyzed Joint C instead of A?

45 º

FAB A

FBD of pin A

FAD

AY

Analyzing pin A:

CONCEPT QUIZ

1. Truss ABC is changed by decreasing its height from H to 0.9 H. Width W and load P are kept the same. Which one of the following statements is true for the revised truss as compared to the original truss?

A) Force in all its members have decreased.

B) Force in all its members have increased.

C) Force in all its members have remained the same.

D) None of the above.

H

P

A

B C

W

CONCEPT QUIZ (continued)

2. For this truss, determine the number of zero-force members.

A) 0 B) 1 C) 2

D) 3 E) 4

F F

F

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING

a) Check if there are any zero-force members.

b) Draw FBDs of pins D and E, and then apply EE at those pins to solve for the unknowns.

c) Note that Member CE is zero-force member so FEC = 0. If you didn’t see this simplification, could you still solve the problem?

Given: Loads as shown on the truss

Find: Determine the force in all the truss members (do not forget to mention whether they are in T or C).

Plan:

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

Analyzing pin D: → + ∑FX = 600 – FCD sin 26.57° = 0

FCD = 1341 N = 1.34 kN (C) (Note that FCD = FBC!)

↑+ ∑ FY = 1341 cos 26.57° – FDE = 0

FDE = 1200 N = 1.2 kN (T)

FBD of pin D

FDE

Y

D 600N X

FCD 26.57°

From geometry, tan-1(1/2)=26.57°

GROUP PROBLEM SOLVING (continued)

Analyzing pin E:

→ + ∑FX = 900 – FEB sin 45° = 0

FEB = 1273 N = 1.27 kN (C)

↑+ ∑ FY = 1200 + 1273 cos 45° – FEA = 0

FEA = 2100 N = 2.1 kN (T)

FBD of pin E

FEA

Y

E 900 N X

FEB 45°

FDE

ATTENTION QUIZ 1. Using this FBD, you find that FBC = – 500 N.

Member BC must be in __________.

A) Tension

B) Compression

C) Cannot be determined

2. For the same magnitude of force to be carried, truss members in compression are generally made _______ as compared to members in tension.

A) Thicker

B) Thinner

C) The same size

FBD

FBC

B

BY